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D-backs acquire Matt Lindstrom from Orioles in exchange for Joe Saunders

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they have acquired right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom and either cash considerations or a player to be named later from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders and cash considerations, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.

Lindstrom, 32, went 1-0 with a 2.72 ERA (11 ER in 36.1 IP) and 30 strikeouts in 34 relief appearances with the Orioles this season. He has limited right-handed hitters to a .207 (17-for-82) average this season and has held opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 11 outings.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder has gone 13-15 with a 3.68 ERA (129 ER in 315.1 IP) and 45 saves in 346 games over 6 Major League seasons with the Marlins (2007-09), Astros (2010), Rockies (2011) and Orioles (2012). Lindstrom also pitched for Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Saunders, 31, was 6-10 with a 4.22 ERA (61 ER in 130.0 IP) in 21 starts with the D-backs in 2012. He was scheduled to start today’s game vs. Padres.

In 8 Major League seasons, Saunders is 75-62 with a 4.17 ERA (517 ER in 1116.2 IP), 7 complete games (3 shutouts) in 182 starts with the Angels (2005) and D-backs (2010-12). He went 21-30 with a 3.96 ERA (187 ER in 424.2 IP) and 3 complete games (1 shutout) in 67 starts with Arizona.

Saunders was acquired by the D-backs from the Angels on July 25, 2011 with Tyler Skaggs, Patrick Corbin and Rafael Rodriguez in exchange for pitcher Dan Haren.

Trevor Cahill will start today’s game vs. Padres in place of Saunders. Lindstrom is expected to join the D-backs tomorrow.

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